Lucas Crandles

“Freemasonry gives you a shortcut to meeting people – you know they have gone through initiation, that they know the secrets, that they have been in a sense ‘vetted’, that they care about the community, and are good men.”

“When I see people become really actively involved, I see them really improve themselves, I’ve found them to be a lot happier, better members of the community, better parents, better friends, better men. That is what Freemasonry is all about.”

Many members of Freemasons Victoria come from a long line of Masons, continuing stories filled with rich histories that go back hundreds of years. But some stories need be written anew. Such is the case with Lucas Crandles, a man with no fathers, grandfathers or otherwise as members of the Craft. A man whose profession includes writing, as well as directing and editing as the head of video production company Renderr Media (the producers of the Freemasons Victoria Community Gallery Video series), and a man who is tremendously excited to begin his Masonic journey.

Lucas, who calls Brunswick United his Mother Lodge, didn’t know a great deal about the organisation before one fateful night when he was invited to a dinner event by a friend. “I had heard what I think a lot of people hear,” he says, “it’s a secret society, associated with a lot of important historical figures.” But what he discovered that night changed his life. “I was welcomed so warmly by everyone,” he says, “it was such a great group of people and not too long after that I joined. It was one of the greatest decisions I’ve ever made.”

Since joining, Lucas feels he has learned a great deal about himself, and has picked up many skills he uses in everyday life. “Freemasonry uses a lot of allegory and metaphor to impart ancient wisdoms,” he explains, “it teaches you shortcuts to things that are difficult to deal with in life – managing your time, managing conflict with others, public speaking, achieving your goals. It condenses these lessons and imparts them in an accessible way that you can really take to heart.” Lucas now finds himself involved in a number of worthy Masonic endeavours, such as getting involved in charity events, travelling interstate to visit other lodges, and even communicating with other Masonic brethren around the world over the internet.

Whilst Lucas might only be on the first chapter of his Freemasonry journey, he looks forward to the exciting modernisation taking place in the organisation hopes to be of any help he can be in bringing in a youthful contingent of next generation Masons.